1 Corinthians 8
8
1NOW concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up; but charity edifieth.
2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he hath not yet known as he ought to know.
3But if any man love God, the same is known by him.
4But as for the meats that are sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.
5For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there be gods many, and lords many);
6Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7But there is not knowledge in every one. For some until this present, with conscience of the idol: eat as a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
8But meat doth not commend us to God. For neither, if we eat, shall we have the more; nor, if we eat not, shall we have the less.
9But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a stumblingblock to the weak.
10For if a man see him that hath knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to idols?
11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died?
12Now when you sin thus against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
1 Corinthians 8
8
1Now about “food sacrificed to idols.”#8:1. Paul continues answering the issues the Corinthians have raised. So “we all have knowledge” about this subject. Knowledge makes us proud, but love strengthens us. 2If anyone thinks they know anything, they don't know as they really should know! 3But whoever loves God is known by God.
4So regarding eating food sacrificed to idols: we know that there are no such things as idols in the world, and that there is only one real God. 5Even though there are some things called “gods,” whether in heaven or on earth—in fact there are many “gods” and “lords.” 6But for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom everything was made, and he is the goal of our existence; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom everything was made, and he is the means of our existence.#8:6. This is a complex verse the meaning of which is much debated. It is seen as an early “creed” or declaration, identifying God as Creator and Re-creator, the focus of our lives. It literally says, “But to us one God the Father, from whom the all and we into him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the all and we through him.”
7But not everyone has this “knowledge.”#8:7. Paul takes issue with this knowledge being misapplied, as seen in verse 10 when it could be seen as being proud and arrogant. Some who up to now have been so used to idols as a reality that when they eat food sacrificed to an idol, their conscience (which is weak) tells them they have defiled themselves. 8But food doesn't gain us God's approval! If we don't eat this food, we're not bad, and if we do eat this food, we're not good. 9Just take care not to use this freedom you have to eat food sacrificed to idols to become offensive to those with a weaker attitude. 10If another believer sees you who have such “better knowledge”#8:10. See under 8:7. eating food in an idol temple, won't his weak conscience be convinced to eat food sacrificed to idols?#8:10. In other words, deciding to follow another's example, while still believing it is a sin. 11By your “better knowledge” the weaker believer is destroyed, a believer for whom Christ died. 12In this way you sin against other believers, wounding their weaker consciences, and you sin against Christ. 13So if eating food sacrificed to idols would cause my fellow believer to stumble, I will never eat such meat ever again, so that I don't offend any believer.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com